22 July 2024
Rookie Hannes Soomer helped TONE RT Syncedge 4413 BMW to victory in the Dunlop-equipped FIM Endurance World Cup during the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race yesterday (Sunday).
Partnered by Japanese riders Tomoya Hoshino and Ainosuke Yoshida, the Estonian was making his Suzuka debut and overcame a late gear issue to triumph ahead of Team Étoile, which beat Taira Promote Racing to second place on the final lap by 2.213s.
“I came here on Tuesday for the first time and now I’ve ended up winning,” Soomer said. “Every motorcycle racer wants to be on this podium and now I’m on the first step I’m very, very happy.”
Teramoto@J-Trip Racing’s bid to convert its Superstock pole position into victory unravelled when Takeru Murase inflicted substantial damage by crashing at Turn 8 after 30 minutes.
National Motos Honda FMA finished fifth on its Suzuka debut but a crash for Gino Rea exiting the second Degner Curve in the opening 20 minutes dropped Wójcik Racing Team out of contention.
FIM Endurance World Cup teams were contesting the Suzuka 8 Hours for the first time under new rules for 2024.
And the Europe-based teams contesting the iconic event benefited from a tyre support package offered jointly by FIM Endurance World Championship promoter Warner Bros. Discovery Sports and Dunlop, the official tyre supplier to the Superstock category. Through the arrangement, 10 sets of tyres are being provided free of charge to each European Superstock team contesting the third event of the EWC season.
26 July 2024
Albert Arenas went from Moto2 to the FIM Endurance World Championship podium when he finished third in the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race for Yoshimura SERT Motul. Riding alongside Suzuki-powered team-mates Cocoro Atsumi and Dan Linfoot, this is what the 27-year-old from Spain had to say.A podium in your first Suzuka 8 Hours for what was your EWC debut of course. How incredible does that feel?“Incredible, especially considering how it all happened. On Monday, I couldn't board the plane due to a visa issue, and we had testing sessions on Wednesday that I couldn't attend. However, I gave my word, and we did everything possible to get here. My mentality changed with the change of plans. They told me they needed me, so I did everything I could to be here. My focus was to help the team as much as possible. I did a total of 35 laps during testing, and the sensations were good from the start. With the team, I felt at home, they are very professional, we got along well, and I was super-proud to share the bike with Cocoro and Dan. They did an incredible job, and I was able to do my best to help them, which was the goal, and I think we achieved it. Mission accomplished. It was also their first podium, very special, and I am very proud of everyone, happy to have lived this experience. Different vacations, but super-happy to have made the decision to take on this challenge in this way.”
24 July 2024
Johann Zarco became an FIM Endurance World Championship race winner at his first attempt in Japan last weekend, describing his achievement as a “big relief”.Zarco, a race winner in MotoGP, joined forces with Takumi Takahashi and Teppei Nagoe to form the Team HRC with Japan Post squad that banked a third straight win in the Suzuka 8 Hours and handed Honda its 30th victory in the iconic event.
23 July 2024
The results of the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance are now final following post-event technical checks.They found motorcycle number 23 (Team Tatara Aprilia) to be contravention of FIM Endurance World Championship Technical Regulation 2.8.6.3, and motorcycle numbers 52 (Termaoto@J-Trip Racing) and 806 (NCXX Racing with Riders Club) to be in contravention of FIM Endurance World Championship Technical Regulation 2.7.6.3. As such, motorcycle numbers 23, 52 and 806 were disqualified from the results of the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race.Click HERE for the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race final ranking and follow this LINK for the updated provisional standings after round three.
